Jets-Patriots highlights NFL weekend

APDarrelle Revis and the Jets will take center stage on Sunday against the Patriots.

By BARRY WILNER

From "Hard Knocks" on TV to hard knocks on the field, the New
York Jets already have experienced all kinds of extremes. Now the New
England Patriots come to the Meadowlands, possibly the worst opponent
Rex Ryan's team could face.

The Jets couldn't run efficiently or
pass with authority against Baltimore in a 10-9 opening loss. New York's
offense was so bad that the Ravens had the ball for more than 38
minutes, even though they only managed 49 yards rushing. That simply
doesn't happen.

New England doesn't need to control the clock so
much to control games. The Patriots can score very quickly, even against
a highly regarded defense such as New York's.

Plus, the Jets
might not have the offense in place to test a Patriots defense that is
in transition. Mark Sanchez is supposed to take the next big step in his
development in his second pro season, but he was a shaky quarterback
against Baltimore.

Imagine what schemes Bill Belichick will have in store for him.

"It's
just another stingy defense, another defense where we can't hurt
ourselves because they're going to make plays on their own," Sanchez
said. "We don't want to help them."

Patriots-Jets has become one
of the nastiest rivalries in the NFL, with an added touch this week:
Randy Moss' visit to (Darrelle) Revis Island, a place the Patriots' star
receiver hopes to overrun with touchdown catches.

The Jets'
All-Pro cornerback called Moss a "slouch" during a word-association game
on television in January. Not surprisingly, Moss didn't take very
kindly to that description and said Revis would get "60 minutes of this
slouch" on Sunday.